Landlord wants to put the Waterloo tunnels to 'more commerical' use

London’s Vault Festival is being kicked out of its home in the tunnels under Waterloo station after 13 years.

The event first ran in the then-derelict spaces in 2012, and has since hosted more than 3,000 comedy, theatre and cabaret shows.

But the landlord is said to be seeking ‘more commercial projects’ for the tunnels, so festival organisers are now seeking a new a home for 2024 and beyond.

The decision does not affect this year’s two-month event – the first since the pandemic – which runs until March 19, both in the tunnels and other venues nearby.

Festival co-founder Andy George said: ‘This devastating blow comes after three of the harshest and hardest years of the festival’s life; but we’re determined to make sure this isn’t the end.’

He has launched a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising £150,000 by the end of this years’s festival to help the parent organisation survive and find a new home for the festival.

George added: ‘The response to the return of Vault Festival as been incredible. Over the past three years, as we’ve battled to survive through cancellations, postponements and a pandemic, it’s become extremely clear that the creative industry needs Vault Festival to thrive and the artists we champion need Vault  Festival to springboard their careers.’

They are looking for large spaces of more than 20,000 sq ft or multi-space venues somewhere in London to host future events.

Click here for more details of the campaign to save the Vault festival.

Published: 15 Feb 2023